Shape-changing figure toy

ABSTRACT

A figure toy has a skeleton-like body member, such as an armature, covered with a flexible covering material beneath which a mechanical shape-changing mechanism is movably mounted for movement from a normal position to a material-bulging position where the shape of a selected area, such as a simulated bicep, is changed from a first condition to a second, bulged condition.

waited States Patent 91 Lewis et a1.

[ 1 May 8, 1973 [541 SHAPE-CHANGING FIGURE TOY [75] Inventors: .1.Stephen Lewis, Pacific Palisades, John T. Benson, Encino, Denis V.Bosley, Palos Verdes Penninsula, Jurgis Sapkus, Manhattan Beach, all ofCalif.

[73] Assignee: Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 188,403

[52] US. Cl ..46/l19, 46/135 R, 46/126, 46/157 [51] int. Cl. ..A63h33/00 [58] Field of Search ..46/135, 126, 119, 46/120,163,157,158

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,669,063 2/1954 Lang..46/119 4/1956 Lang ..46/l19 12/1937 Schaeffer ..46/l35R PrimaryExaminer-F. Barry Shay Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold AttorneySeymourA. Scholnick [57] ABSTRACT A figure toy has a skeleton-like body member,such as an armature, covered with a flexible covering material beneathwhich a mechanical shape-changing mechanism is movably mounted formovement from a normal position to a material-bulging position where theshape of a selected area, such as a simulated bicep, is changed from afirst condition to a second, bulged condition.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented May 8, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Patented May 8, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 Patented May 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet4 SHAPE-CHANGING FIGURE TOY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The backgroundof the invention will be set forth in two parts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains generally to the field ofanimated figure toys and more particularly to a shapechanging figure toywherein the shape of a selected area of the figure toy may be changedfrom a first condition to a second, bulged or expanded condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,669,063; 2,741,870 and3,153,881 illustrate three prior art examples of animated figure toyswherein the shape-of at least one selected area of a figure toy may bechanged by stretching a flexible covering material. The first twopatents disclose growing figure toys wherein the shape of the figure toyis changed by elongating a mechanism inside a flexible covering causingit to stretch. The third patent illustrates an animated doll whereinair-expandable bladders are used to simulate cheek movement, lipmovement and chest expansion and contraction, and the like.

However, none of these patents discloses mechanical means for changingthe shape of at least one selected area by causing the flexible coveringmaterial to bulge upon movement of a mechanical means from a normal,non-material-bulging position to a position where the material coveringthe mechanical means is caused to bulge by the mechanical means.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is aprimary object of the present invention to provide a new and usefulanimated figure toy having mechanical means for changing the shape ofthe figure ,toy in at least one selected area.

It is another-object of the present invention to provide ashape-changing figure toy including a non-inflatable, shape-changingmember movably mounted on a skeleton-like body member and covered by aflexible covering material with the shape-changing member including aportion having substantially the shape which the selected area willassume after the flexible covering material is bulged by theshape-changing member.

A further object of the present invention is to pro vide ashape-changing figure toy simulating a muscular male doll having asimulated bicep which automatically expands when the forearm of the dollis moved from an extended position to an upright position.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, ashape-changing figure toy is provided which includes a pair of armshaving skeleton-like body members or armatures covered with flexiblematerial.

A non-inflatable, shape-changing member is movably mounted on the bodymember or armature and is covered by the flexible material. Theshapechanging member includes a portion having substantially the shapeof an upper-arm bicep. during flexure. The shapechanging member is swunginto engagement with the flexible material causing it to bulge when theforearm portion of the arm is swung from an extended position to anupright position normal to the upper arm.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, means are providedinside the torso of a doll for changing its appearance from a young girlto a teenage doll by squeezing its waist to actuate a shape-changingmechanism which reduces the size of the waist, lengthens the torso andexpands the bust line.

Additionally, a mechanism is included in the head of the doll forlengthening the face by causing the jaw to jut downwardly and forwardlywhile the cheeks are drawn inwardly.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to likeelements in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front, elevational view,with parts broken away to show internal construction, of ashape-changing figure toy constituting a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the skeleton-like,body member or armature portion of one arm of the figure toy shown inFIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and d are side-elevational views of the armature shown in FIG. 2in two different positions of use;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a shape-changing figure toyconstituting a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away to showinternal construction, of the toy shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the internalshape-changing mechanism in a different operating position;

FIG. 8 is a partial elevational view similar to the upper portion ofFIG. 6, but showing the parts in a different operating position; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring again to the drawings,and more particularly to FIG. I, a shape-changing figure toyconstituting a presently preferred embodiment of the invention,generally designated 10, includes a torso I2 to which a head I4, andpair of arms l6, l8 and a pair of legs 20, 22 are articulately connectedby any suitable means, such, for example, as pin connector 24 connectingarm 18 to a fixed rib or plate 26 provided in torso 12.

Referring now to FIGS. l4, arm 18 includes a skeleton-like body memberor armature 28 having an upper arm portion 30 and a forearm portion 32swingably connected together by a pin 34 integrally formed on an end 36of upper arm portion 30 and engaged in an aperture 38 provided in end 40of forearm 32.

Forearm 32 includes a strut portion 42 and a hollow tubular portion 44.A hand-carrying pin 46 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is rotatably mounted in tubularmember 44 and carries a hand 4% (FIG. I). A circular rack 50 (FIG. 2)

is provided on end 46 of forearm 32 and is maintained in operativeengagement with a circular rack 52, which is provided on end 36 of upperarm 30, by a spring means 54, which may be of the type shown at 2 33 inFIG. of 11.8. Pat. No. 3,277,601 and which includes a crossbar 56 havinga pair of fingers 58, 64) extending therefrom. These fingers 58, 60 eachincludes a loop 62 positioned around pin 34 for bearing against theouter sides of racks 511, 52 forcing them into mutual engagement. Theposition of spring means 54!- on armature 28 is maintained by an ear 64carried by finger $8 for engaging a protuberance b6 (FIG. 2) provided onthe upper arm portion 341.

Upper arm portion 311 includes a strut 68 having an outer face '79,which carries protuberance 66, and an inner face '72, which carries ashelf member 74. The end 76 of strut 68 which is remote from end 36thereof carries a U-shaped member 78 to which pin 24 is swingablyconnected by a crossbar 8i).

Body member 28 also includes a non-inflatable, shape-changing member 82swingably connected to forearm 32 by a pin 84 which engages an aperture86 provided on end 461 of forearm portion 32.

Shape-changing member 82 is provided with a bulbous portion 38simulating a shape of a flexed bicep and normally assuming the positionshown in HG. 3 wherein member 82 rests on shelf '74. Member 82 may bemoved to the position shown in FIG. 4 by swinging forearm 32 in acounterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 1) until forearm 32 isnormal to upper arm portion 36 causing pivot pin 84 to move downwardlyso that the bulbous portion 8% is elevated due to the turning of member82 upon a fulcrum 941 formed by shelf 7d.

I Arm 18 is covered with a flexible covering material 92 (P16. 1) whichmay be molded from a suitable plastisol material encapsulating bodymember 2%. Covering material 92 normally assumes the shape shown in FIG.3 and is caused to bulge, as shown at 94 in FIG. 4, when member $2 isswung to its 1 16. 4 position for simulating a flexed bicep.

In use, a child-user of figure toy 161 may cause the figure toy to ilexits biceps automatically by swinging the forearms of the doll from anextended position to a position wherein the forearms are normal to theirassociated upper arms.

Referring now to FlGS. 5-9, a shape-changing figure toy constituting asecond embodiment of the present invention, generally designated 1111),includes a torso m2 having a lower torso portion 111 slideably connectedto an upper torso portion 106 by a substantially cylindrical Waistmember 1926* on lower torso portion 104 which is telescopically mountedinside 21 waist portion 11% on upper torso portion 166.

Waist portion 1 M1 is hinged, as shown at 1 12 and 114 in F IG. 6, andis connected to a pair of front actuator links 1 16, 1 153 and a pair ofrear actuator links 1211, 122 each having an end 124 pivotally connectedto a fixed post 126 by a pin 12%. Additionally, the end 1341 of links116 and 1211 are connected to waist 1161 by a pin 132 and the end 13 3of links 118 and 122 are connected to waist 1111 by a pin 136.

Post 126 is supported by a block 1313 seated in lower torso portion 1W!and extends upwardly through upper torso portion 1116 where the upperend 1411 of post 12d is positioned just beneath the neck portion 142 ofupper torso portion 106. A frusto-conical block 144 is slideably mountedon post 126 and is adapted to be moved from the position shown in FIG. 5to the position shown in H6. 7 when pressure is applied to waist 11b inthe direction of arrows 146, 148 causing ends 1311, 134 of links 116,120, 122 and 118 to move upwardly in the direction of arrows 150, 152 (F16. 6) for moving upper torso portion 11% upwardly with respect to lowertorso portion 104.

Block 144 carries an upstanding collar 154 having an upper end 156against which the lower end 158 of a compression spring 160 is seated.The upper end 162 of spring 161]) is seated against a shoulder 164provided on the upper end 14 1 of post 126, whereby spring 160 biasesblock 14-4 and waist 11b to the positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Block144 and waist 110 may be maintained in elevated positions, such as shownin FIG. 7, by pawl 166 pivotally mounted on collar 154 by a pin 168 andis biased into engagement with teeth 1'70 on post 126 by a spring 172.When block 144 reaches the upper limit of its travel, pawl 166 isrelieved so that spring 16 1) will automatically return block 14-4 toits FIG. 5 position.

A pair of shape-changing links 174, 176 have lower ends 173 connected toblock 144 by pins lbb, 182, respectively, and ends 1841, 186 connectedto links 188, 19%, respectively, by a pin 192.

Links 188, 190 each includes an upper end 194 pivotally connected to theupper end 141 of post 126 by a pin 196 which pivotally receives the end19$ of a bifurcated link 2M1 having its slotted end 202 resting-on afixed pin 2%, carried by upper torso portion 106, and stradling a pin 2%carried by an actuating rod 208 extending upwardly through neck 142 intothe head portion 216) of figure toy 10b.

Actuatiug rod 2118 has a bifurcated upper end 212 to which a finger 214is pivotally connected by apin 216. Finger 214 extends through anaperture 218, which is provided in neck 142, so that finger 214 will bemoved from the position shown in FIG. 5, wherein end 2211 of finger 214engages lower lip 222 of head 21%, to the position shown in P16. '7,where finger 214 is freed from lower lip 222, when pushrod 2113 is movedin the direction of arrow 22 1 (FIG. 8) by the rocking of bifurcatedlink 2111? about fixed pin 204 when block 144 moves upwardly swinginglinks 174, 176 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5. As links 1'74, 176swing incrementally counterclockwise, as indicated by the broken linesin FIG. 5, during the stepping of pawl 166 in teeth 177as waist 1141 isincrementally squeezed in the direction of arrows 146, 148, a bulbousprotrusion on ends 184, 186 of links 174, 176, respectively, engage ahinged flap 22s, forming part of upper torso portion 1% and swing itfrom the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in F 16. 7simulating development of figure toy 1% from a small child to a teenagechild. Flap 226 is hinged to upper torso portion 106 by a hinge 2%formed by reducing the cross section of the plastic material formingupper torso portion 1%.

The upper end 212 of pushrod 2&8 includes carnrning surfaces 231), 23 2which control the movement of cheek-engas" g blocks 234, 236 (FIGS. 6and 8) so that block 234, ass will move from the position shown in HQ. bwherein cheek 232, 240 of head 2111 simulate the fat cheeks of a smallchild to the position shown in FIG. 8 wherein block 234, 236 have movedin the direction of arrows 242, respectively, permitting cheeks 238, 240to move inwardly simulating the longer, less pudgey face of a teenager.

While the particular shape-changing figure toy herein shown anddescribed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects andproviding the advantages hereinbefore states, it is to be understoodthat it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention and that no limitations are intended to the details ofconstruction or design herein shown other than as defined in theappended claims which form a part of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:

1. In a figure toy having relatively pivotable body portions, askeleton-like body member in said body portions and covered with aflexible covering material, mechanical means for changing the shape ofthe figure toy in at least one selected area by causing said flexiblecovering material to bulge, comprising:

a non-inflatable, shape-changing member pivotally mounted on said bodymember and covered by said flexible covering material said member havingan end swingable generally normal to said covering material on one ofsaid body portions at said selected area, said end having substantiallythe shape said selected area will assume after said flexible member. isbulged, said shape-changing member being normally disposed beneath saidflexible material in a non-material bulging position; and

means connected to the other of said body portions and to saidshape-changing member for swinging it outwardly into a materiahbulgingposition in response to relative pivoting of said body portions, wherebythe shape of said figure toy is changed in said selected area.

2. A figure toy as stated in claim ll wherein said selected area is asimulated bicep.

3. A figure toy as stated in claim 1 wherein said selected areacomprises a simulated bust line in a doll.

4. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein:

said body member comprises an arm armature;

said selected area comprises a simulated bicep;

said shape-changing end having substantially the shape of a flexedbicep; and

said body member includes an upper arm portion having a shelf and apivoted forearm portion having means rotatably receiving saidshape-changing member, said shape-changing member normally resting uponsaid shelf when said forearm is extended and rocking about said shelf toan elevated position which when said forearm is swung to a positionnormal to said upper arm.

5. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said body member is a limbarmature having an upper arm portion rotatably connected to a forearmportion, each of said portions including a circular rack and springmeans for maintaining each portion in angularly adjusted positions andwherein said shape-changing member is swingably connected to one of saidportions and is rocked about the other of said portions when saidportions are moved to a predetermined angular position with respect toeach other.

6. A shape-changing figure toy, comprising: a torso including an uppertorso portion and a lower torso portion, said lower torso portion beingtelescopically received in said upper torso portion one of said torsoportions including a shape-changing member hingedly mounted on said onetorso POT- tion; and

linkage means inside said torso pivotally engaging said shape-changingmember and the other torso portion to swing said shape-changing memberabout said hinge when said torso portions are telescopically movedrelative to each other.

7. A figure toy as stated in claim 6 wherein said shape-changing memberis configured to simulate a bustline.

8. A figure toy as stated in claim 6 wherein said shape-changing memberis configured to simulate a waist portion on said one torso portion.

9. A figure toy as stated in claim 6 including a neck portion on saidupper torso portion and a head on said neck portion, said figure toyalso including a pushrod means connected to said linkage means andextending through said neck means into said head and cheek-engagingmeans mounted in said head in engagement with said pushrod means forexpanding said cheeks laterally in one position of said pushrod means.

Ml. A shape-changing figure toy, comprising:

a torso including an upper torso portion having a neck post formedintegrally therewith on the upper end thereof, a simulated bustlinehingedly connected thereto and a waist section hingedly connectedthereto, a lower torso portion telescopically received in said uppertorso portion;

a fixed post seated in said lower torso portion and extending up throughsaid upper torso portion;

a block slideably mounted on said post and affixed to said upper torsoportion;

link means pivotally connected to said post and to said hinged waistsection for contracting said waist section and sliding said upper torsoportion upwardly with respect to said lower torso portion;

shape-changing linkage means swingably connected to said block andincluding a portion engageable with said simulated bustline for swingingsaid simulated bustline to an outwardly-extended position when saidupper torso portion is moved upwardly.

ll. A figure toy as stated in claim l0 including a pushrod extendingupwardly through said neck post into said head, said pushrod having oneend connected tov said linkage means for actuation thereby and a secondend extending into said head and including a cheek-engaging means forexpanding the cheek area of said head in one position of said pushrod,said push-rod being reciprocated by movement of said upper torso portionwith respect to said lower torso portion.

1. In a figure toy having relatively pivotable body portions, askeleton-like body member in said body portions and covered with aflexible covering material, mechanical means for changing the shape ofthe figure toy in at least one selected area by causing said flexiblecovering material to bulge, comprising: a non-inflatable, shape-changingmember pivotally mounted on said body member and covered by saidflexible covering material said member having an end swingable generallynormal to said covering material on one of said body portions at saidselected area, said end having substantially the shape said selectedarea will assume after said flexible member is bulged, saidshape-changing member being normally disposed beneath said flexiblematerial in a non-material bulging position; and means connected to theother of said body portions and to said shape-changing member forswinging it outwardly into a material-bulging position in response torelative pivoting of said body portions, whereby the shape of saidfigure toy is changed in said selected area.
 2. A figure toy as statedin claim 1 wherein said selected area is a simulated bicep.
 3. A figuretoy as stated in claim 1 wherein said selected area comprises asimulated bust line in a doll.
 4. A combination as stated in claim 1wherein: said body member comprises an arm armature; said selected areacomprises a simulated bicep; said shape-cHanging end havingsubstantially the shape of a flexed bicep; and said body member includesan upper arm portion having a shelf and a pivoted forearm portion havingmeans rotatably receiving said shape-changing member, saidshape-changing member normally resting upon said shelf when said forearmis extended and rocking about said shelf to an elevated position whichwhen said forearm is swung to a position normal to said upper arm.
 5. Acombination as stated in claim 1 wherein said body member is a limbarmature having an upper arm portion rotatably connected to a forearmportion, each of said portions including a circular rack and springmeans for maintaining each portion in angularly adjusted positions andwherein said shape-changing member is swingably connected to one of saidportions and is rocked about the other of said portions when saidportions are moved to a predetermined angular position with respect toeach other.
 6. A shape-changing figure toy, comprising: a torsoincluding an upper torso portion and a lower torso portion, said lowertorso portion being telescopically received in said upper torso portionone of said torso portions including a shape-changing member hingedlymounted on said one torso portion; and linkage means inside said torsopivotally engaging said shape-changing member and the other torsoportion to swing said shape-changing member about said hinge when saidtorso portions are telescopically moved relative to each other.
 7. Afigure toy as stated in claim 6 wherein said shape-changing member isconfigured to simulate a bustline.
 8. A figure toy as stated in claim 6wherein said shape-changing member is configured to simulate a waistportion on said one torso portion.
 9. A figure toy as stated in claim 6including a neck portion on said upper torso portion and a head on saidneck portion, said figure toy also including a pushrod means connectedto said linkage means and extending through said neck means into saidhead and cheek-engaging means mounted in said head in engagement withsaid pushrod means for expanding said cheeks laterally in one positionof said pushrod means.
 10. A shape-changing figure toy, comprising: atorso including an upper torso portion having a neck post formedintegrally therewith on the upper end thereof, a simulated bustlinehingedly connected thereto and a waist section hingedly connectedthereto, a lower torso portion telescopically received in said uppertorso portion; a fixed post seated in said lower torso portion andextending up through said upper torso portion; a block slideably mountedon said post and affixed to said upper torso portion; link meanspivotally connected to said post and to said hinged waist section forcontracting said waist section and sliding said upper torso portionupwardly with respect to said lower torso portion; shape-changinglinkage means swingably connected to said block and including a portionengageable with said simulated bustline for swinging said simulatedbustline to an outwardly-extended position when said upper torso portionis moved upwardly.
 11. A figure toy as stated in claim 10 including apushrod extending upwardly through said neck post into said head, saidpushrod having one end connected to said linkage means for actuationthereby and a second end extending into said head and including acheek-engaging means for expanding the cheek area of said head in oneposition of said pushrod, said push-rod being reciprocated by movementof said upper torso portion with respect to said lower torso portion.